Maccabi suffered a disappointing 0-3 defeat in tonight’s first leg against CSKA Sofia, but inside the dressing room there is no intention of giving up ahead of next week’s decisive return leg in Bulgaria. The 25-year-old midfielder shared his thoughts after the final whistle and stressed the players’ belief in their ability to turn things around.
“Like Kenny Miller said at the end, this is still far from over, even though we’ve left ourselves a mountain to climb,” Noy began. “Tonight’s result is definitely not what we wanted. We know very well that we’re capable of much, much more than what we showed on the pitch.”
Noy expressed his confidence at Maccabi’s ability ahead of next week’s return leg: “Of course we still believe. This tie is far from over and we’ll have to be at our best next week.”
Tonight’s match in Batumi was played in an almost completely empty stadium, but next week in Sofia Maccabi will face a completely different atmosphere, with the stadium expected to be full. Noy addressed the challenge awaiting the team: “It certainly wasn’t easy playing here today with an almost empty stadium. In Sofia it will be completely different, with an almost full stadium. We’re fully aware that we’ll be facing a very difficult ground and a very challenging atmosphere.”
Finally, the midfielder added: “Despite everything, I know very well what we’re capable of doing as a team. I know that what we did today was a long way from what we’re truly capable of, but I genuinely believe that we can go there next week and get a good result.”
